Russia to test fly Superjet in May

Moscow, April 30, 2008

Russia's long-delayed test flight for its first all-new airliner since the fall of the Soviet Union will take place in the first half of May, a source in Russia's state aircraft holding told Reuters on Wednesday.

Sukhoi's Superjet 100, the fruit of almost a decade of efforts by Russia's largest warplane maker, is Moscow's biggest hope for returning to the global market for commercial jetliners. It is designed to seat 75-95 passengers.

The first flight was originally planned for late 2007 but then moved to the first months of 2008.

'It will be in the first half of May,' the source at United Aviation Corporation said. - Reuters